Paula Tormey of Old Forge, who has been teaching art in a variety of mediums for 30 years, will instruct Introductory and Intermediate Precious Metal Clay classes, and evening Painting on Glass classes at View in the coming weeks.
Tormey, who is a Certified PMC Instructor with RIO Grande, has been teaching the PMC method for eight years, and has made a variety of jewelry including silver necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pins.
Because she enjoys the process of desiging for specific individuals, she also creates jewelry by special order.
The Precious Metal Clay (PMC) which contains pure silver in a powdered form and a combination of binders, was developed by Japanese scientists in the 1990s to make use of the vaults of silver backing from FUJI film that had been returned to Japan, Tormey said.
Tormey, who has also done metalsmithing and is a talented potter and artist, became interested in the PMC process when she was introduced to adding the clay to her pottery before glazing and firing.
After seeing the results, it didn’t take her long to start making silver jewelry.
Paula and her husband John have lived in Old Forge for many years, first as part-time residents, and then permanently once they both retired—John from IBM and Paula from RIT where she was Director of Development Systems.
“I was able to enjoy my art in Rochester, too,” she said, adding that she taught art in her big studio to nearly 100 students. Her father, who painted as a hobby, inspired her love of all art forms, she said.
She has studied under Javir Ramos, an outstanding artist in Mexico, where she spends winters every year, and she has also studied under Frank Howell who is a ceramist in Mexico.
“I love learning. I can’t get enough of it, “ she said. “And I teach people that if they don’t think they have any talent, they can still learn anything if they want to do it badly enough.”
Tormey’s Introduction to Precious Metal Clay (PMC) process of making Silver Jewelry will be held Wednesday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a half hour lunch break.
The $25 fee covers one 9-gram package of PMC clay for producing a pair of silver earrings or a couple of small beads, the firing and the tool usage.
Intermediate PMC Classes will be held on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a one hour break, on July 25, August 8, and August 22.
The class is suitable for students who have had experience using Precious Metal Clay.
Her “Painting on Martini or Wine Glasses—Girls Night Out” classes will be held each Wednesday, from July 11 to August 29, from 7 to 9 p.m.
The themes for each class will include Paint Your Own Design, Lily Flowers and Snow Leopard Eyes.
Students will be able to take home their two finished hand-painted glasses by the end of the evening.
To register for any of Tormey’s classes, call View at (315) 369-6411.
